Apparent Densities of Stomoxys Species (Diptera, Muscidae) of Different Physiological Ages Caught with Vavoua Trap Differ With Landscape and Trapping Period

Stable flies(Stomoxys spp.)are common pests of livestock in the peri-urban rangelands of Vina Division of the Adamawa Plateau.No documented information is available on their diurnal dynamics in relation to physiological age and landscape.The main aim of this study was to determine the trap apparent density(ADT)of Stomoxys and associate it to their diurnal activity rhythm and landscape.Vavoua traps(n=12)were used for Stomoxys collection.Trapping was carried out for seven days i.e.three days consecutively in August and four days consecutively in October,2016.Three traps were pitched in each of the three biotopes(river,cattle corral and gallery forest)of the four study sites(Galim,Mbidjoro,Velambai and Soukourwo).All female Stomoxys captured underwent ovarian dissection for the determination of their physiological ages(parous or nulliparous).A total of 218 Stomoxys were caught and identified into four species(S.niger niger,S.omega,S.calcitrans,and S.xanthomelas)with an overall ADT of 2.59 flies per trap per day and Stomoxys niger niger(1.13 s.n.n.per trap per day)recorded the highest ADT.Species richness was study site dependent.Higher catches of females 113(51.83%)were made than that of their male 105(48.17%)counterparts.Galim recorded the highest Stomoxys apparent density(4.90)as compared to other sites with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The proportion of parous 87(59.30%)was higher than that of their nulliparous 46(40.71%)counterparts.Parity differed with landscape and capture periods.S.n.niger was the most frequent in all biotopes and Galim recorded the highest ADT.The population of female flies was made up of adults(parous)with a bimodal diurnal activity rhythm whereas males had a unimodal activity rhythm.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Porcine Echinococcosis at the Ivorian Pig Slaughter Company (SIVAC), Yopougon Abidjan: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Parasitic diseases are threat to the development of Ivorian Pig industry. Zoonotic diseases such as Echinococcosis have a significant impact on animal health and production. Little is known about Echinococcosis in Cô te d’Ivoire. Aim: For these reasons, a cross section study was conducted at SIVAC in Yopougon, on pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus), in order to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Echinococcosis. Method: Paraclinical examinations of pig organs (kidneys, lungs, and liver) were conducted from 5th September to 30th December 2019 in order to report infection with this parasite. Results: Out of the 2425 slaughtered pigs, 63 of them were Echi-nococcosis positive, resulting in overall infection prevalence of 2.6% (95% CI: 1.9% - 3.22%). The kidneys (2.35%) were most infected, followed by lungs (0.21%), and liver (0.04%). Recommendations: A more in-depth study on the molecular epidemiology of Echinococcosis in the different regions of Cô te d’Ivoire is underway. Also, capacity building of community livestock actors (Veterinarians, health inspectors, breeders and butchers) and sensitization of the population on this disease is necessary in order to improve its diagnosis at the abattoir level and to set up strategies to combat it.

Phenotipic Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in Gabon

Background: The increasing phenomenon of bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a real public health problem. The main causes are poor management of hygiene and water quality, but also the use of antibiotics without precaution. The objective of this study was to isolate and determine the antibiotic resistance profile of the different bacteria found in the main hospitals and bacteriology laboratories in Gabon. Methods: 6034 samples were taken from hospitals in seven main cities of Gabon, and analyzed according to the usual techniques. The pathogenic strains were identified by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the agar disc diffusion method, according to the Antibiogram Committee of the French Society for Microbiology guidelines. Results: 974 pathogenic bacterial strains were found, including 890/974 (91.4%) Gram-negative bacilli. The systematic antimicrobial susceptibility testings identified 160/974 (16.4%) multi-resistant strains. Escherichia coli was the most represented species. 12.5% - 25% of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Citrobacter sedlakii strains were resistant to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, third and fourth generation cephalosporins. Aminoglycoside resistance rates of 8.5% - 19% were also noted. 4.5% to 25% of the bacteria found were resistant to quinolones and cotrimoxazole. Resistance rates to carbapenems ranged from 1% to 10.5%. 16% of Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Rates of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) ranged from 2.5% to 25%. Conclusion: This study showed an increasing evolution of bacterial resistance to antibiotics that are spreading throughout Gabon. This constitutes a threat to the health of Gabonese population.

Analyzing Accuracy of the Power Functions for Modeling Aboveground Biomass Prediction in Congo Basin Tropical Forests

Allometric equation is the common tools for quantifying and monitoring the amount of carbon stored in forest ecosystems. The model used can be one of the major sources of errors that need to be considered for wood biomass estimations. The power function of plants has been questioned by comparing sixteen models. Some adjustment and model selection criteria and prediction of uncertainties have been computed. Published data on biomass studies and plot inventory were used for this analysis. The results highlight that power function is the best model for modeling aboveground biomass and additional effect on logarithm scales of the predictor variables must be prioritized. The power of the logarithm of diameter as predictor variable must be avoided because this leads to worst adjustment and higher prediction uncertainty. Tree height as a third predictor variable gives the best adjustment and reduces the uncertainty on the biomass prediction around 8 t/ha less than model with the two other predictor variables, the diameter and the wood specific density. The adjustment criteria are sufficient for the appreciation of the prediction quality of the models. The exponent of wood density as predictor variable needs better understanding.